About Us

Bulkley Valley Wholesale is a grocery and food service wholesaler that has served northwest British Columbia for over 50 years. We are part of the Overwaitea Food Group, a privately owned company that is a division of the Jim Pattison Group.

With sales of over $7.1 Billion in 2009 and more than 33,000 employees, the Jim Pattison Group is the third largest private company in Canada.

History

In 1959, Bill & Herb Leach partnered with Archie Dunlop and began a wholesale business selling confection and tobacco to business owners in the area surrounding their warehouse on Main St in Smithers, BC.

The approach of buying direct from manufacturers and servicing their customers proved to be a great business approach and it wasn’t long before Bulkley Valley Wholesale became a business that was positioned to prosper for years to come.

In 1973, Tom and John Leach purchased the business from their parents and carried on the tradition for more than thirty years with tremendous growth and success. This also meant moving and expanding to the current location on Hwy 16. In 2000, requests came from the community and Bulkley Valley Wholesale opened its doors to the public while still focusing on the core business of wholesale.
Soon after, Bulkley Valley Wholesale was purchased by the Overwaitea Food Group and today the business of wholesale is still its foundation.

Bulkley Valley Wholesale proudly continues to be a leading provider of grocery and food service products to independent grocers, mining camps, lodges and restaurants in the northwest corner of British Columbia. The same formula of direct buying from manufacturers, personalized service, and the strength and backing of the Overwaitea Food Group has positioned us to continue the business of wholesale started by the Leaches in 1959.